We had an idea. We ran with it.

parkrun started back in 2004 when 13 runners got together on a blustery day in Bushy Park, Teddington, UK. We’re now an international family of over half a million runners (and counting).

About parkrun

parkrun is such a simple concept: turn up every Saturday and run 5km, or if you’re a junior then 2km every Sunday. It doesn’t matter how fast you go. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. What matters is taking part.

There are now parkrun events each Saturday and Sunday in countries all around the world. Each event is based in a unique location like a park, beach or promenade. All events are organised by a group of our wonderful dedicated volunteers.

parkrun is all about inclusiveness and wellbeing. We want as many people as possible to feel part of a real local community brought together by our events, as well as our global parkrun family.

It’s why parkruns are never more than 5km – it’s a distance that anyone can complete (even if some of us are walking by the end…)

And it’s why we’ve kept the format of parkrun so simple: register once, then turn up and take part wherever you want, whenever you want.

Paul Sinton-Hewitt

Paul founded parkrun in 2004. He was there at the first run at Bushy Park, Teddington. He now runs the group that manages the growth of parkrun around the world.

Paul’s firm belief is that parkrun’s simple concept should – and really can – exist in every town in the world. So no-one should ever have to pay to go running in their community regularly, safely and for fun.